Dandruff is one of the persistent problems from which men and women suffer. The dry, white flakes visible on the shoulders and the collar area can be highly embarrassing. Along with falling on the shoulder and collar area, these flakes can be visible on the scalp, hairline and even on your face and skin. It is obvious that the dandruff problem is a plaguing one and can be a potent source of worry for the person. You might dress in a lovely dark dress for a party, only to find dandruff flakes on the dress’s shoulder and collar area. The whole thing is indeed embarrassing and irritating. Does this mean that you stop wearing dark colored dresses and suits? Not at all. It means that you have to find effective means of combating the problem of dandruff so that they are removed from the roots permanently.
Causes of dandruff
Most of us have a notion that having dry scalp is the only reason that leads to dandruff. But there are more contributing factors to the problem as well. Some of them are as follows:
- Yeast sensitivity – Yeast can cause dandruff and people who are sensitive to yeast are more prone to the problem. Yeast-sensitive people will find that their condition is somewhat better during the warm months; but tend to worsen during the winter times. UVA rays of the sun help in counteracting yeast. Winters bring the problem of dry skin. The problem aggravates due to exposure of the skin to extreme temperature changes – warm inside the rooms and cold air outside. This leads to formation of dandruff.
- Irritated and oily skin – Irritated and oily skin can lead to dandruff for sure. The condition is known as seborrheic dermatitis and this might affect different parts of the skin, including eyebrows, nose sides, back of the ears, etc. Seborrheic dermatitis is mainly caused by a fungus called Malassezia. This fungus is present on every human being’s scalp and they live on the oils which are secreted by the hair follicles.
- Lack of enough shampooing – With pollution levels increasing rapidly, the scalp attracts dust and dirt greatly. Moreover, there are dead skin cells and oil depositions on the scalp too. When the dust and dirt combine with these factors, it becomes a gruesome matter. Shampooing hair at regular intervals helps in removing these elements from the scalp and keeps it clean. Lack of enough shampooing can be a cause for formation of dandruff.
- Insufficient hair brushing – Brushing and combing hair is an integral part of hair care regimen. However, many people do not find adequate time for brushing and combing their hair on a regular basis. Such people are at higher risk of developing dandruff. This is because brushing leads to shedding off of dry and dead skin cells from the scalp and can prevent dandruff.
- Dry skin and scalp – This is probably the most common cause that leads to dandruff formation on the scalp. People who have dry skin are more prone to the problem. The scalp becomes itchy and flaky and these flakes shed off as dandruff. The thing to notice in the flakes is that they are completely dry and have no traces of oiliness in the same.
- Illnesses and other skin conditions – You might not be aware of the fact that various kinds of illnesses and other skin conditions can lead to dandruff formation. People suffering from neurological ailments, including Parkinson’s disease are prone to seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. People with weak immune system can also develop dandruff. Skin disorders are not uncommon and people suffering from eczema, psoriasis and other skin ailments are more prone to get dandruff.
[ Read: How To Prevent Dandruff in Winter ]
Symptoms of dandruff
Symptoms of dandruff are often ignored until they become really severe and serious. The first symptoms of dandruff are white flakes that are seen on hair and even fall on the shoulders and collar area. The flakes can be of two kinds – they can either be dry or oily in nature. There might be scalp irritation as well. The scalp might become scaly and itchy. The problem of dandruff aggravates during the winter and fall months, when the climate is cold and dry. Lack of moisture can lead to formation of dandruff. When the problem of dandruff aggravates, the scalp might become swollen and red. If something like this happens, it is recommended to see a dermatologist at the earliest.
Treating dandruff the natural way
The market is flooded with anti-dandruff shampoos, which claim to remove dandruff completely. But in most of the cases, the dandruff returns after a few days and the condition continues as before. Instead of using such shampoos and other chemical products for treating dandruff, it is recommended to use some natural remedies for the same. Most interestingly, majority of the products that can be used for treating dandruff are available right on the kitchen shelf. The greatest benefit of these products is that they are completely natural and free from all kinds of side effects.
Mentioned below are 15 home remedies, which can be used for combating dandruff successfully:
- Baking soda
Baking soda is found in almost all households. This natural ingredient has amazing properties, which help in making various kinds of effective home remedies. Among the different remedies, this ingredient helps in combating dandruff successfully. It exfoliates the scalp by removing the dead skin cells. Moreover, it combats fungicides – there are funguses that appear naturally on the scalp and when they increase beyond control it can lead to dandruff. Baking soda also helps in removing dandruff flakes stuck to the hair.
How to use:
Take a cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Mix both the ingredients well. If possible add a few drops of rosemary oil to the same. Apply this mixture on the scalp and hair generously in place of the shampoo. Initially the hair might feel a bit dry, but gradually the natural oils are restored. It is a great thing for dandruff.
- Neem leaves
Neem has been used in traditional medicines since long time. Neem has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Hence, this natural ingredient helps in relieving itching of the scalp and inhibits growth of fungus that causes dandruff.
How to use:
Take about 2 handfuls of neem leaves and about 4-5 cups of hot water. Add the leaves in the hot water and let it stand like that overnight. Strain the liquid the next morning and use the same for rinsing hair. Apart from this, paste from neem leaves can also be made and applied to the scalp. Let it be there for about an hour. Wash it off with normal water thereafter.
- Scalp scrub made with coconut oil and honey
Both coconut oil and honey play crucial role in combating dandruff issue. Coconut oil eliminates dandruff while preserving the natural proteins in the hair. On the other hand, honey has antimicrobial properties, which help in treating dandruff effectively.
How to use:
To make the scalp scrub, you will need 2 teaspoons each of honey, olive oil and coconut oil and 3 teaspoons yogurt. Take a bowl and add all these ingredients in it. Mix them well so that a paste is formed with medium consistency. Apply this to the scalp and massage it gently for about 10 minutes. The massaging should be from the roots to the tip of the hair. Let the scrub be there for 30-45 minutes before rinsing off with shampoo. Once done, apply coconut oil on scalp and hair.
- Listerine mouthwash
The antifungal properties in Listerine mouthwash help in combating dandruff-causing yeast in the scalp and restrict growth of the same as well.
How to use:
For this, you will need 9 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon Listerine mouthwash. Take a small bowl and add the water and mouthwash in the same. After washing hair with normal shampoo, use this mouthwash mixture for rinsing the hair. You don’t need to wash off this and keep it as it is. There is no problem in styling the hair as well after this natural dandruff treatment.
[ Read: How To Use Castor Oil For Treating Dandruff ]
- Fuller’s earth
Fuller’s earth has been used since ages for bettering skin tone and texture and maintaining a healthy and glowing skin. Oil, dirt and grease are absorbed with the help of fuller’s earth. All these factors lead to dandruff formation on the scalp. Moreover, it helps in improving blood circulation to the scalp, keeping it clean and proper without dandruff.
How to use:
You will need 1 cup fuller’s earth, water and about 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice. In a small bowl, add the fuller’s earth and water and make a paste with medium and smooth consistency. Add lemon juice to the same and mix well. Apply this paste to the scalp. Let it be there for about 15-20 minutes till the time it dries. Wash off with normal water.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and hence the pH level of the scalp is altered by this natural ingredient. The growth of yeast and fungus is restricted with this ingredient effectively.
How to use:
You will need apple cider vinegar and water for this natural remedy for combating dandruff. Take a small bowl and add equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in the same. After washing the hair with shampoo, pour the mixture of water and apple cider vinegar on the hair. Rub the mixture into the scalp thoroughly. Let it be there for about 15 minutes before it is washed away with normal water.
- Yogurt and lemon juice
Both yogurt and lemon contain acidic contents, which are great for dandruff removal. Lemon juice abounds in citric acid, which helps in getting rid of dandruff from the hair roots. The antimicrobial nature of lemon juice is also effective in treating dandruff problem.
How to use:
Take a bowl of yogurt and a lemon cut into half. Squeeze the lemon juice into the curd and mix well. Apply this on the scalp and on the hair. Apart from lemon juice, lemon peel can also be used for the purpose. The scalp can be massaged with the inner side of the lemon peel. Let the lemon juice-curd paste be there for about 10-15 minutes before washing the hair with shampoo.
- Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek is a condiment, which is extensively used in kitchens all over the world. Fenugreek leaves and seeds are available commonly and these abound in various kinds of vitamins and nicoson and help in combating the problem of dandruff successfully.
How to use:
An amazing scalp mask can be created with the help of fenugreek seeds. Take a handful of fenugreek seeds and grind the same into fine powder. Take a quarter cup of Greek yogurt and add the fenugreek powder to the same. Mix both the ingredients well to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on the scalp and let it be there for about 20 minutes. Wash and rinse the hair. Try this remedy two days in a week to see a considerable difference in dandruff problem.
- Egg yolks
Egg yolks are excellent for treating the problem of dandruff. Egg yolks abound in biotin, a vitamin, which helps in combating dandruff. Biotin also helps in conditioning the hair and makes it healthy.
How to use:
You will need 1-2 egg yolks for this homely dandruff remedy. Take the egg yolks in a bowl and mix them well. Your hair should be dry before applying the egg yolk to the scalp. Once you are done, the hair should be covered with a plastic bag. Let it be like that for about an hour or so. Use a good shampoo for washing the hair thoroughly. Egg yolks tend to have a very strong odor and you might need to shampoo twice to get rid of the smell.
- Garlic
Garlic has amazing antifungal properties and it can help in eliminating the fungus and microbes that lead to formation of dandruff on the scalp.
How to use:
You will need few cloves of garlic and 1 tablespoon of honey. Take the garlic cloves and crush them in a way so that a smooth paste is formed. Add honey to this garlic paste and mix well. The paste should have a smooth consistency. Apply the paste on the scalp and massage it thoroughly. Let the paste be there on the scalp for about 15-20 minutes. After that, shampoo the hair as usual. Garlic has a strong flavor and you might need to shampoo twice to remove the odor.
- Table salt
There is no home where table salt cannot be found. This natural ingredient’s abrasive nature helps in scrubbing off the dandruff flakes from the scalp. Shampooing hair after, that helps in removal of dandruff completely from the scalp.
How to use:
Take 2-3 tablespoons of table salt. Now rub the same on the scalp. Ensure that your scalp is dry when you do this. Give the scalp good massage by working the salt through the hair. Massage for about 10 minutes. You will see that the dandruff and flaky skin comes off readily. Shampoo the hair as usual after the remedy.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has fungicidal and antibacterial properties. This natural ingredient has the capacity of breaking down dead skin cells and acts as an excellent exfoliating agent. As a result, chances of dandruff formation are minimized with this natural ingredient.
How to use:
Find an Aloe Vera plant near you. Cut a leaf from the plant and collect the fresh gel from there. Apply the gel on the scalp directly and massage gently so that they penetrate and bring in desired results. Let the gel remain on the scalp for about 15-20 minutes. Use a mild shampoo for rinsing off the gel completely. Try doing this daily for quick results.
- Basil leaves
Dandruff can be treated successfully with basil leaves as this natural ingredient has extensive antifungal and antibacterial properties. Along with strengthening the scalp, this natural ingredient helps in treating dandruff at the same time.
How to use:
For this, you will need few basil leaves, 2 teaspoons water and 2 teaspoons amla powder. All the ingredients have to be put into a blender and blended well to form a smooth paste. The paste has to be applied on the scalp thoroughly and left for 30 minutes. Use fresh water for rinsing the hair. The results are visible within short span of time only.
- Green tea
Benefits of green tea are not unknown. Catechins are important components in green tea and these abound in antifungal properties. Along with these, green tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols, which help in restoring scalp health.
How to use:
You will need a cup of hot water and 2 green tea bags. Steep the tea bags in the hot water for about 20 minutes. Let it cool down completely. Apply the green tea concoction on the scalp and let it be there for approximately 30 minutes. Use plain water for rinsing off the green tea from the scalp.
- Gram flour
The slightly coarse and abrasive nature of gram flour acts as an excellent exfoliating agent. It helps in the removal of dirt, dust, dead skin cells and other contaminant depositions from the scalp. These actually lead to formation of dandruff on the scalp.
How to use:
Take 4 tablespoons of gram flour in a bowl and add suitable amount of curd to the same. Now mix both the ingredients well, so that a smooth paste is formed without any lumps. Lemon juice can also be added to the paste. Apply the paste on the scalp and let it rest there for about an hour. Wash off with normal water.
All these dandruff removing remedies are easy and effective without any side effects.
Video – Natural Home Remedies For Dandruff
How do you treat your dandruff? Do you have any remedy? Please share with us in the comments below